Vitale's new book offers key to a 'W'

Dick Vitale, far right, poses with friends from the Broken Egg at Lakewood Ranch, from left, Rafael Canizales and Brandi Wilson. Vitale has written a new book, "Getting a W in the Game of Life," with proceeds to benefit The V Foundation for pediatric cancer research.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER SHEA

By JENNIFER SHEACorrespondent

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.

In Dick Vitale's world, a playbook is an absolute necessity but not so much for most high school students. Vitale has written a new book, "Getting a W in the Game of Life," that is specifically relatable to teenagers and young adults.

Facts

INTERESTED?

Copies of "Getting a W in the Game of Life," $18.95, may be purchased online at www.dickvitaleonline.com. Free shipping and autographed copies available; proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research.

To buy tickets to the 8th Annual Dick Vitale Gala, at the Ritz-Carlton on May 17, and the VIP pre-party, contact Mary Kenealy at 350-0580. Individual tickets are $1,000. Packages and sponsorships are available.

From the dedication to page 246, Vitale paints vivid portraits of dreams, struggles and ultimate victories.

Inspired by the "gallant, valiant fighters" who battle cancer against all odds, Vitale focuses his considerable passion and tenacity on helping young adults harness the attitude of a winner.

His methodology — his TEAM philosophy — "Togetherness, Enthusiasm, Attitude and Mental toughness," he said, is the formula for success.

"You're not born with a 'W' — a win in life," Vitale said. "You can't be.

"But that's great because if you have to earn it, then it's available to every man, woman and child on God's green earth."

He has reached an age — 73 — when most folks are playing bridge or whacking a small white ball around. But Vitale has no intention of retiring from his quest to raise money to eradicate pediatric cancers.

In fact, he said that he recently had a conversation with John Skipper, president of ESPN, in which Skipper told Vitale that he had "a job for life — which is great.

"I have no intention of retiring," Vitale said. "I'm still obsessed with raising dollars for pediatric cancer research."

Every book he writes, every gala he hosts, every T-shirt he sells and every personal appearance Vitale makes move him closer to his goal and a promise that he made to his friend, Jimmy Valvano.

His promise, he said, echoes Valvano's famous ESPN speech; "Never give up," Vitale said. "Never give up — until there is a cure."

Vitale is hoarse from his ESPN basketball gig; his familiar voice is a mere whisper.

"Lemme share with you what inspires me," he said. "I am a 11 time Hall of Famer. I am in the National Basketball Hall of Fame — but not because of me — because of the foundation that my mom and dad established."

Vitale said his parents, Mae and John, provided a foundation of love, loyalty and lessons in adversity. Vitale hopes to inspire young people — while directing book profits to fighting cancer — as his parents inspired him.

"You know, I lost my eye when I was kid — poked it with a pencil," Vitale said.

Vitale's parents did not allow his physical disability to negatively impact his destiny. Now he seeks to counsel students and young adults to "chase their dreams, regardless of obstacles."

"'Getting a W in the Game of Life,'" Vitale said, "is really a good book for people of all ages — it was so exciting to write.

"It will inspire you in everyday challenges and help you make good decisions about bullying, drugs, alcohol and really tough situations," he continued. "Kids are dealing with a lot — a lot of broken homes.

"The book is geared to help kids lead better lives."

All proceeds benefit The V Foundation for pediatric cancer research. The V Foundation was founded in 1993, after Valvano — who was Vitale's best friend and the coach of North Carolina State University's 1983 national champion basketball team — succumbed to bone cancer.

The V Foundation has awarded more than 340 cancer research grants to scientists and institutions that are dedicated to the eradication of cancer.

Vitale and Valvano "became very close the last year and a half of his life," Vitale said. In the "Mental Toughness" section of "Getting a W," Vitale recounts Valvano's losing battle with bone cancer.

Valvano, Vitale said, "owned every moment of his life and captained it with undeniable mental toughness — for that, Jimmy will always be my hero.

"No man should have to face the pain that he did," Vitale continued. "He asked us not to forget.

"He asked for a commitment from his friends," to continue to raise funds for research and for a cure.

And so he does — in addition to the Dick Vitale Gala each year, Vitale hosts a plethora of events and makes innumerable personal appearances to raise money for the V Foundation.

For the past eight years, Vitale has consistently raised more than a million dollars a year for The V Foundation.

Tickets to the 8th Annual Dick Vitale Gala at the Sarasota Ritz Carlton, on May, 17, 2013, are on sale now.

For the first time, Vitale will host a "VIP event — where you can meet all of the celebrities — before the gala.

"It's a private party and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will be there," he said. There are only 20 tickets available to the VIP pre-party.

The 2013 Gala will honor Bobby Bowden, Hall of Famer and former coach of the Florida State Seminoles, Jim Calhoun, Hall of Famer and coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies and Bill Self, head coach of the University of Kansas Jayhawks.

Vitale added that, "One hundred percent of my profits from the Gala and from 'Getting a W'" go to the V Foundation for the Dick Vitale Research Grants to cure pediatric cancer."

Vitale may be old school — but he has an innate understanding of modern family dynamics.

"You need a team," he said, "and that team may be a family member — or it could be a coach, a teacher or maybe a friend."

Throughout "Getting a W," Vitale addresses the positive and negative influences of interpersonal and electronic relationships.

The reality, he said, is that most young adults are better versed in electronic communication than they are in individual interactions.

He extols the importance of stellar character and reputation.

"People may not like my style or my opinions but nobody can ever accuse me of not being prepared, knowledgeable and excited," he said.

Vitale interviewed scores of high school-age students for "Getting a W." He addresses topics like bullying, fractured homes, gossip and false accusations, organization, work ethic, accountability, manners, drugs, alcohol, honor and the "sweet rewards of sweat."

Vitale drops names in "Getting a W" — it is hard not to when you are close friends with people like Shaquille O'Neal, Rick Pitino, Kenny Chesney, Mike Krzyzewski, Magic Johnson and Lou Holtz — but more often, Vitale talks about the kids that he has met.

He is inspired, he said, by fighters like young Payton Wright, Ashley Krueger and Eddie Livingston, local kids who have fought or are fighting pediatric cancers.

Payton succumbed to cancer at age 5.

"She had so much courage," Vitale said. "If hearts were heights, Payton would have stood eye to eye with Shaquille O'Neal.

"She really is one of my heroes."

Ashley and Eddie are still fighting their cancers; Vitale stays in touch with them and their parents — often tweeting updates and prayer requests for their painful procedures.

The septuagenarian's philosophies date back to his childhood. The more things change, the more they stay the same — success in sports, business and life are contingent upon "game plans and sweat and realizing the power of potential.

"Nobody handed me anything; I busted my butt," Vitale said. "I got fired and I thought it was the end of the world.

"I rolled around in pity then I picked myself up and started over," he added.

"Now, I've been at ESPN for 34 years."

Vitale's playbook is a blueprint for success via belief in yourself, tenacity and kindness to others.

"At this stage in my life," Vitale said, "I'm in a giving stage.

"I'm blessed with a beautiful family and my health and I'm the one who's blessed to have met these tough, amazing kids," he added. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, we have to find a way to beat this cancer.

"No kid should have to go to chemo — they should be outside playing," Vitale said.

<p>In Dick Vitale's world, a playbook is an absolute necessity but not so much for most high school students. Vitale has written a new book, "Getting a W in the Game of Life," that is specifically relatable to teenagers and young adults.</p><p>From the dedication to page 246, Vitale paints vivid portraits of dreams, struggles and ultimate victories.</p><p>Inspired by the "gallant, valiant fighters" who battle cancer against all odds, Vitale focuses his considerable passion and tenacity on helping young adults harness the attitude of a winner.</p><p>His methodology — his TEAM philosophy — "Togetherness, Enthusiasm, Attitude and Mental toughness," he said, is the formula for success.</p><p>"You're not born with a 'W' — a win in life," Vitale said. "You can't be.</p><p>"But that's great because if you have to earn it, then it's available to every man, woman and child on God's green earth."</p><p>Vitale greets fans, sells books, signs balls and chats easily at his "office," The Broken Egg at Lakewood Ranch, 6115 Exchange Way, most mornings.</p><p>He has reached an age — 73 — when most folks are playing bridge or whacking a small white ball around. But Vitale has no intention of retiring from his quest to raise money to eradicate pediatric cancers.</p><p>In fact, he said that he recently had a conversation with John Skipper, president of ESPN, in which Skipper told Vitale that he had "a job for life — which is great.</p><p>"I have no intention of retiring," Vitale said. "I'm still obsessed with raising dollars for pediatric cancer research."</p><p>Every book he writes, every gala he hosts, every T-shirt he sells and every personal appearance Vitale makes move him closer to his goal and a promise that he made to his friend, Jimmy Valvano.</p><p>His promise, he said, echoes Valvano's famous ESPN speech; "Never give up," Vitale said. "Never give up — until there is a cure."</p><p>Vitale is hoarse from his ESPN basketball gig; his familiar voice is a mere whisper.</p><p>"Lemme share with you what inspires me," he said. "I am a 11 time Hall of Famer. I am in the National Basketball Hall of Fame — but not because of me — because of the foundation that my mom and dad established."</p><p>Vitale said his parents, Mae and John, provided a foundation of love, loyalty and lessons in adversity. Vitale hopes to inspire young people — while directing book profits to fighting cancer — as his parents inspired him.</p><p>"You know, I lost my eye when I was kid — poked it with a pencil," Vitale said.</p><p>"Do you think my parents felt sorry for me? I remember my mom saying, 'Richie don't feel sorry for yourself — nobody's gonna feel sorry for you because you lost your eye.'</p><p>Vitale's parents did not allow his physical disability to negatively impact his destiny. Now he seeks to counsel students and young adults to "chase their dreams, regardless of obstacles."</p><p>"'Getting a W in the Game of Life,'" Vitale said, "is really a good book for people of all ages — it was so exciting to write.</p><p>"It will inspire you in everyday challenges and help you make good decisions about bullying, drugs, alcohol and really tough situations," he continued. "Kids are dealing with a lot — a lot of broken homes.</p><p>"The book is geared to help kids lead better lives."</p><p>All proceeds benefit The V Foundation for pediatric cancer research. The V Foundation was founded in 1993, after Valvano — who was Vitale's best friend and the coach of North Carolina State University's 1983 national champion basketball team — succumbed to bone cancer.</p><p>The V Foundation has awarded more than 340 cancer research grants to scientists and institutions that are dedicated to the eradication of cancer.</p><p>Vitale and Valvano "became very close the last year and a half of his life," Vitale said. In the "Mental Toughness" section of "Getting a W," Vitale recounts Valvano's losing battle with bone cancer.</p><p>Valvano, Vitale said, "owned every moment of his life and captained it with undeniable mental toughness — for that, Jimmy will always be my hero.</p><p>"No man should have to face the pain that he did," Vitale continued. "He asked us not to forget.</p><p>"He asked for a commitment from his friends," to continue to raise funds for research and for a cure.</p><p>And so he does — in addition to the Dick Vitale Gala each year, Vitale hosts a plethora of events and makes innumerable personal appearances to raise money for the V Foundation.</p><p>For the past eight years, Vitale has consistently raised more than a million dollars a year for The V Foundation.</p><p>Tickets to the 8th Annual Dick Vitale Gala at the Sarasota Ritz Carlton, on May, 17, 2013, are on sale now. </p><p>For the first time, Vitale will host a "VIP event — where you can meet all of the celebrities — before the gala.</p><p>"It's a private party and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will be there," he said. There are only 20 tickets available to the VIP pre-party.</p><p>The 2013 Gala will honor Bobby Bowden, Hall of Famer and former coach of the Florida State Seminoles, Jim Calhoun, Hall of Famer and coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies and Bill Self, head coach of the University of Kansas Jayhawks.</p><p>Vitale added that, "One hundred percent of my profits from the Gala and from 'Getting a W'" go to the V Foundation for the Dick Vitale Research Grants to cure pediatric cancer."</p><p>Vitale may be old school — but he has an innate understanding of modern family dynamics.</p><p>"You need a team," he said, "and that team may be a family member — or it could be a coach, a teacher or maybe a friend."</p><p>Throughout "Getting a W," Vitale addresses the positive and negative influences of interpersonal and electronic relationships.</p><p>The reality, he said, is that most young adults are better versed in electronic communication than they are in individual interactions.</p><p>He extols the importance of stellar character and reputation.</p><p>"People may not like my style or my opinions but nobody can ever accuse me of not being prepared, knowledgeable and excited," he said.</p><p>Vitale interviewed scores of high school-age students for "Getting a W." He addresses topics like bullying, fractured homes, gossip and false accusations, organization, work ethic, accountability, manners, drugs, alcohol, honor and the "sweet rewards of sweat."</p><p>Vitale drops names in "Getting a W" — it is hard not to when you are close friends with people like Shaquille O'Neal, Rick Pitino, Kenny Chesney, Mike Krzyzewski, Magic Johnson and Lou Holtz — but more often, Vitale talks about the kids that he has met. </p><p>He is inspired, he said, by fighters like young Payton Wright, Ashley Krueger and Eddie Livingston, local kids who have fought or are fighting pediatric cancers.</p><p>Payton succumbed to cancer at age 5.</p><p>"She had so much courage," Vitale said. "If hearts were heights, Payton would have stood eye to eye with Shaquille O'Neal.</p><p>"She really is one of my heroes."</p><p>Ashley and Eddie are still fighting their cancers; Vitale stays in touch with them and their parents — often tweeting updates and prayer requests for their painful procedures.</p><p>The septuagenarian's philosophies date back to his childhood. The more things change, the more they stay the same — success in sports, business and life are contingent upon "game plans and sweat and realizing the power of potential.</p><p>"Nobody handed me anything; I busted my butt," Vitale said. "I got fired and I thought it was the end of the world.</p><p>"I rolled around in pity then I picked myself up and started over," he added. </p><p>"Now, I've been at ESPN for 34 years."</p><p>Vitale's playbook is a blueprint for success via belief in yourself, tenacity and kindness to others.</p><p>"At this stage in my life," Vitale said, "I'm in a giving stage.</p><p>"I'm blessed with a beautiful family and my health and I'm the one who's blessed to have met these tough, amazing kids," he added. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, we have to find a way to beat this cancer.</p><p>"No kid should have to go to chemo — they should be outside playing," Vitale said.</p>